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BLACK RIVER WATER SAMPLING: Bacteria levels in the swimming spots sampled are safe for all locations. Keep in mind After heavy rains, stay out of any body of water for at least 48 hours to avoid the risk of getting sick from contaminated water. Swimming areas regularly tested : Buttermilk Falls; Cavendish Gorge; Lakes Rescue & Pauline; Tolles Power Dam; Twenty Foot Hole;
8/14/26
1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 8/10/26
2. Cavendish Fire Dept. Fire Station Update
3. Help Build a Playground
4. Primary Results
5. Cavendish Related News
6. Events Calendar
1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 8/10/26: The video of the August 10 Cavendish Select Board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV Website. Unapproved minutes are posted to the Town’s website and the Chester Telegraph has a report on this month’s meeting.
Approved/Action Taken
• The use of Greven Field on Sept. 20, 2 pm to kick off Storm Water Awareness Week with a collaborative program of the Cavendish Historical Society, Black River Action Team and Dartmouth. This program includes a medicinal plant walk with Dr. Charis Boke.
• Upon approval of the town’s treasurer, the use of the town’s existing Cavendish Playground account fund will be used for fundraising purposes. See item 3 below for more information
• A multi age playground to replace the playground currently on the Cavendish town green. See item 3 below for more information
• Robert C. Glidden as the town’s fire warden. Glidden said that he will be keeping Chris Marks (the former fire warden) as deputy.
• One day liquor license to BAPS LLC for a private wedding on Aug. 15 and to Killington Distillery for a Singleton’s event also on Aug. 15.
Discussed
Town Wide Reappraisal: The appraisal is underway and is being done by NEMRIC According to the town website, “The town of Cavendish, Vermont has contracted with NEMRC to complete a reappraisal of property in Cavendish for the 2027 Grand List. Appraisers for NEMRC will be completing interior and exterior inspections in your area during the coming weeks. Each appraiser will have identification. If no one is home at the time of the inspection we will complete the exterior inspection and leave a card indicating we were there. FMI: Call the Cavendish Grand List Maintenance Office at 802-226-8049 or e-mail los.smith@cavendishvt.org
They have started on Knapp Pond on August 4. For more information on the Reappraisal see the town’s website and/or checkout the Reappraisal FAQ
Mill Steet Railroad Trestle Project: To strength the Mill Street Trestle, the bridge is being braced, which will result in the width of the underpass being reduced. While the town trucks can get through the underpass, clearance on either side may be an issue when the snowplow is attached. There are other ways for the town to make sure the Cavendish Gulf, Densmore and the roads on that side of town can be cleared regardless of the underpass. Note: The town has no say in this project even though Town Manager, Rick Chambers, has voiced his concerns to the state. The train trestle bridge on the Cavendish Gulf Road will be worked on August 20. The town will send out a VT Alert about closings closer to the date.
Paving: A contract with Bazin Brothers to do paving will begin in September.
Dog Issues: Cavendish’s animal control officer stated that there were some issues with pit pulls and other dog issues. This was referred to the September meeting.
2. CAVENDISH FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE STATION UPDATE: The following is from Prudential Board member Stu Lindberg Energy Resilience and American Disabilities Act upgrades to the station house are scheduled to begin by the first week of October. These upgrades include insulating all the exterior walls of the station and obtaining a thermal rating of r-22, Currently there is no insulation in the walls in the largest portion of the station. This upgrade is predicted to save the taxpayers of Cavendish Fire District 2 thousands of dollars in energy costs every year.
Another important part of the project is to replace the windows in the first floor of the building where we keep our Rescue Truck and our Brush truck which will give us additional energy savings.
After the insulation scope of the project is finished we have contracted with an HVAC installer to install heat pumps in parts of the building to reduce our consumption of fuel oil to heat the building.
As part of the HVAC installation we have upgraded our insufficient and outdated electrical system with a brand new 200 AMP service with additional circuits. New energy efficient LED lighting is going to be installed replacing the old fluorescent tube lighting.
Lastly but critically important we have contracted to install a fully ADA compliant wheelchair ramp system on the right side of the building replacing the old stairs and deck that have been there for decades. This will allow disabled members of the public to access our restrooms and sitting area in that portion of the building.
The implementation of this grant complies fully with the requirements of the VT Department of Building and General Services and the Vermont Department of Historical Preservation within the financial limitations of the grant amount awarded.
The Cavendish Fire District 2 and the volunteers of Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank Martha Harrison of the Mt, Ascutney regional planning commission, the architect Jon Soccaccio of Stevens and Associates, the contractors that submitted bids on this project and everyone that has volunteered hours of time and energy moving this project forward.
Due to very significant inflationary pressures there are scopes of this project that we are unable to afford, The Cavendish Fire District 2 Committee will continue to seek any federal and state grants and private fundraising that allow us to preserve and upgrade this taxpayer-owned building for decades into the future.
3. HELP BUILD A PLAYGROUND: Two Cavendish students (Olivia and William Braucht) are working with their parents, Cheryl and Eddie, to rebuild the playground on the Cavendish Village Green. Voted on by the Select Board at their August 10th meeting, the park will be multi age, with special equipment for adults and teens as well as the children’s area. The aim is for a July 4, 2027 ribbon cutting. The cost estimate is between $30,000-$70,000 based on equipment purchased.
To help make this park a reality, residents can donate directly to the the town of Cavendish Park account fund, sponsor a memorial bench or plaque, or join a volunteer committee (listed below). Local businesses can also participate through tax-deductible corporate sponsorships.
If you can help by serving on one of the committees below, have questions or suggestions, please e-mail cavendishtownpark@gmail.com
1. Fundraising & Grant Writing Committee
2. Vendor, Design & Site Prep Committee
3. Community Engagement & Volunteer Committee
4.PRIMARY VOTING RESULTS: Of approximately 1,140 Cavendish voters, 236 (20%) cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary. As a result of the primary, candidates will be as follows for the November 3 (Tuesday) General election:
• Governor: Amanda Janoo (D) Phil Scott (R)
• Lt. Governor: Molly Gray (D) John Rogers (R)
• US House: Becca Balint (D) Gerald Malloy (R)
• Sheriff Claude Weyant (D) Richard King (R)
• State Senate: Becca White, Joe Major and Elizabeth Burrows (D) Andrea Murray, Jack Williams and Jonathan Gleason (R)
• State Representative Mark Yuengling (D) VL Coffin (R)
Cavendish voting takes place at the Proctorsville Fire Hall from 10-7. Voters can vote early in personm, at the town office or by mail. Request an absentee ballot online via the Vermont Voter Portal. Prefer paper? Download the early/absentee ballot request form, fill it out, then return it to the town clerk's office. You do not need to request a general election ballot. Vermont automatically mails ballots to all qualified voters by October 1 of each even-numbered year. This mailing is required by state law. Allowing time for postal delivery, you should receive your ballot in the first half of October. Visit the Vermont Voter Portal to check the mail date and other information. Go to the VT State website for more information on Absentee and in-home balloting.
If you are not a registered voter and want to become one, you can register to vote on any day, including election day. This can be done by mail, on-line or at the Town Office. For more information, check the state’s Voter Registration page or call the town office 802-226-7291.
5. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Millington is finalist for Washington Central superintendent’s job: TRSU superintendent looks to leave after two years on job, despite new contract: Two Rivers school Superintendent Layne Millington is a finalist to take over the Washington Central Unified Union School District in the East Montpelier area as it seeks to replace former Superintendent Steve Dellinger-Pate, who resigned unexpectedly in June. If hired, Millington would be leaving TRSU just as the Act 170 merger study process and the school year begin. Chester Telegraph https://www.chestertelegraph.org/2026/08/13/millington-is-finalist-for-washington-central-superintendents-job/
• Benson’s Chevrolet School Supply Drive: Benson’s Chevrolet is proud to announce its annual school supply drive to help students throughout the surrounding communities start the school year with the tools they need to succeed. From now through Wednesday, Aug. 19, community members are encouraged to donate new school supplies for children in preschool through sixth grade. Needed items include backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks, folders, scissors, tissues, and other basic classroom essentials. Donations may be dropped off at Benson’s Chevrolet, 25 Pond Street, Ludlow, Vt., Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
6. EVENTS
AUGUST 26 (WEDNESDAY): First day of school. Please drive carefully.
SEPTEMBER 5 (SATURDAY): HONEY FEST Proctorsville Green 10:30-4
SEPTEMBER 7 (MONDAY): Labor Day, Legal Holiday. Town office closed
SEPTEMBER 20-26 (SUNDAY-SATURDAY): STORM WATER AWARENESS WEEK
SEPTEMBER 20 (SUNDAY): Cavendish Historical Society (CHS), Black River Action Team (BRAT) and Dr. Charis Boke of Dartmouth program on the Black River including its history, flood plains and a medicinal plant walk. Meet at the CHS Museum at 2 pm to car pool to Greven Field. In the event of rain, the full program will be held at the Museum.
SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)- 26 (SATURDAY): Annual BRGN Fall Rummage Sale at Fletcher Farms.
OCTOBER 12 (MONDAY): Indigenous Peoples Day. Legal Holiday. Town Office closed
OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN
NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY): VOTE. General Election. Polls are open 10-7 at the Proctorsville Fire Dept.
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